Inflatable speculums

ABSTRACT

An inflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice includes an inflatable bladder. In an embodiment, when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder includes a baffle member. The baffle member includes a plurality of baffles, and each of the plurality of baffles has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The inflatable bladder also includes an opening formed between a first end of the inflatable bladder and a second end of the inflatable bladder for viewing an inside of the orifice. In another embodiment, when the inflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder includes the opening formed between the first end of the inflatable bladder and the second end of the inflatable bladder, a pump and inflation line for inflating the inflatable bladder, and an applicator. Specifically, when the inflatable bladder is not inflated, a first member of the applicator encloses the inflatable bladder and a second member of the applicator is attached to the inflation line, and when the inflatable bladder is inflated, a portion of the first member is torn and the second member remains attached to the inflation line.

[0001] The present application claims from priority from and is acontinuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/972,254,entitled “Dilating Inflatable Speculum,” and filed on Oct. 9, 2001, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/259,675, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to speculums. Inparticular, the present invention is directed toward speculums adaptedto positioned inside an orifice, such as a vagina, and inflated forviewing an inside of the orifice.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Referring to FIGS. 1a and 1 b, a known speculum 100, such as thespeculum described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,385, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, includes aninflatable bladder 10. Inflatable bladder 10 includes a first flexiblelayer 20, a second flexible layer 30, and a plurality of baffles 40.Speculum 100 also includes an inflation line 50 attached to inflatablebladder 10, and a pump 60 attached to inflation line. Moreover, speculum100 includes an applicator 70. Specifically, applicator 70 includes aplunger 70 a for positioning speculum 100 within the orifice, and aremovable, insertion tube 70 b. In operation, speculum 100 is insertedinside an orifice (not shown) using applicator 70, and insertion tube 70b is removed from inside the orifice. Inflatable bladder 10 subsequentlyis inflated via pump 60 and inflation line 50. Inflating inflatablebladder 10 creates an opening 80 between a first end and a second end ofinflatable bladder 10 for viewing an inside of the orifice. Moreover,first flexible layer 20, second flexible layer 30, and baffles 40inflate, such that baffles 40 have a triangle-shaped cross-sectionalarea.

[0006] Nevertheless, because baffles 40 have a triangle-shapedcross-sectional area, if the walls of the orifice apply a predeterminedamount of pressure to inflatable bladder 10, baffles 40 collapse.Further, it is necessary to remove insertion tube 70 b from inside theorifice before inflating inflatable bladder 10. Moreover, if a user ofspeculum 100 wishes to obtain a sample from inside the orifice, the userremoves speculum 100 before obtaining such sample.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Therefore, a need has arisen for inflatable speculums whichovercome these and other shortcomings of the related art. A technicaladvantage of the present invention is that the baffles may have atrapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Consequently, when the orificeapplies the predetermined amount of pressure to the inflatable bladder,the baffles do not collapse. Further, the applicator may be a plasticsheath, e.g., a perforated plastic sheath, which encloses the inflatablebladder and is attached to the inflation line, such that when theinflatable bladder is inflated, the applicator readily tears. Becausethe applicator remains attached to the inflation line, the applicator isremoved from the orifice when the speculum is removed from the orifice.Moreover, an opening may be formed through a wall of the inflatablebladder, such that the user of the speculum may obtain a sample frominside the orifice via the opening in the wall without having to firstremove the speculum.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, aninflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice comprisesan inflatable bladder. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, theinflatable bladder comprises a baffle member, and the baffle membercomprises a plurality of baffles. Specifically, each of the plurality ofbaffles has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape. Theinflatable baffle also comprises an opening formed between a first endof the inflatable bladder and a second end of the inflatable bladder forviewing an inside of the orifice.

[0009] According to another embodiment of the present invention, aninflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice comprisesan inflatable bladder. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, theinflatable bladder comprises a first opening formed between a first endof the inflatable bladder and a second end of the inflatable bladder forviewing an inside of the orifice. The inflatable bladder also comprisesat least one second opening formed through a wall of the inflatablebladder for allowing access to at least one wall of the orifice, e.g.,for obtaining a sample from the wall of the orifice.

[0010] According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, aninflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice comprisesan inflatable bladder. When the inflatable bladder is inflated, theinflatable bladder comprises an opening formed between a first end ofthe inflatable bladder and a second end of the inflatable bladder. Thespeculum also comprises means for inflating the inflatable bladder,e.g., a pump and an inflation line, and an applicator. Specifically,when the inflatable bladder is not inflated, a first member of theapplicator encloses the inflatable bladder, and a second member of theapplicator is attached to the means for inflating. Moreover, when theinflatable bladder is inflated, a particular portion of the first memberis torn and the second member remains attached to the means forinflating.

[0011] Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent topersons of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detaileddescription of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, needssatisfied thereby, and objects, features, and advantages thereof,reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

[0013]FIGS. 1a and 1 b are a cross-section view and perspective view,respectively, of a known speculum.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a speculum depicting a portion ofan applicator attached to an inflation line, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the speculum of FIG. 2, with theportion of the applicator attached to the inflation line removed todepict a cross-sectional view of a bladder of the speculum, according toan embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the speculum of FIG. 3 insertedinside an orifice, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the speculum of FIG. 4 inflatedinside the orifice with a portion of the applicator remaining attachedto the inflation line after inflation, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

[0018]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a speculum having an openingformed through a wall of an inflatable bladder, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a speculum having a light sourcefor illuminating the orifice, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Preferred embodiments of the present invention and theiradvantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 2-7, like numeralsbeing used for like corresponding parts in the various drawings.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, an inflatable speculum 200, e.g., aninflatable vaginal speculum, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is depicted. Speculum 200 may comprise an inflatable bladder205, means for inflating bladder 205, and means for deflating bladder205. For example, the means for inflating bladder 205 may comprise aninflation line 245 connected to bladder 205, and a pump 250 connected toinflation line 245. Specifically, when a user of speculum 200 appliespressure to pump 250, pump 250 may dispense air or a fluid insidebladder 205 via inflation line 245, thereby causing bladder 205 toinflate. The means for deflating bladder 205 may comprise a valve 255.Valve 255 may cover an opening (not shown) formed through inflation line245. When valve is in an open position, air may escape from bladder 205via the opening in inflation line 245, thereby deflating bladder 205.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, bladder 205 maycomprise a baffle member 270, and when bladder 205 is inflated, bladder205 also may comprise a first opening 260 formed between a first end ofbladder 205 and a second end of bladder 205. Baffle member 270 maycomprise a first flexible layer 215, a second flexible layer 225, and aplurality of baffles 220, e.g., a plurality of flexible, plasticbaffles, positioned between and attached to each of first flexible layer215 and second flexible layer 225. For example, first flexible layer 215and second flexible layer 225 may be a single sheet of flexible plasticfolded over itself and then sealed, such that the sheet of flexibleplastic encloses baffles 220. Moreover, inflation line 245 may bepositioned within one of baffles 245, such that when the user appliespressure to pump 250, air or fluid enters baffles 220, thereby causingbaffles 220, first flexible layer 215, and second flexible layer 225 toinflate. For example, inflated baffles 220 may have a substantiallytrapezoidal cross-sectional shape. The trapezoidal shaped baffles maywithstand more pressure than triangle shaped baffles before collapsing.Speculum 200 also may comprise at least one light source (not shown)positioned within at least one of baffles 220. For example, the lightsource may comprise at least one tubular, chemiluminescent light sourcepositioned within at least one of baffles 220, which may be activated bybending the light source.

[0023] Alternatively, and referring to FIG. 7, the at least one lightsource may comprise a beam of light for illuminating the orifice. Forexample, a reusable lamp, e.g., a 120 Volt/150 Watt halogen light, mayprovide the beam of light to the orifice via a fiber optic cable. Thefiber optic cable may be connected to a manifold 280 which includes afemale luer and pump 250. In this embodiment, speculum 200 may comprisea fiber optic element 275. Specifically, a first portion of fiber opticelement 275 may be positioned within inflation line 245, and a secondportion of fiber optic element 275 may be positioned within one ofbaffles 220. For example, fiber optic element may have a diameter ofabout a 1.5 mm (about 0.059 inches), and the second portion of fiberoptic element 275 may terminate about 25.4 mm (about 1 inch) from an endof baffle 220. Moreover, inflation line 245 may be connected to pump250, and pump 250 may be connected to the fiber optic cable, whichallows the fiber optic cable to contact fiber optic element 275 for thetransmission of light inside the orifice.

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, speculum 200 alsomay comprise an applicator 230, and applicator 230 may enclose bafflemember 270 when bladder 205 is not inflated. Applicator 230 may be asheath of flexible plastic, and a portion of applicator 230 may comprisea plurality of perforations 235. Applicator 230 also may be attached toinflation line 245 at an attachment portion 230′, and may comprise anindicator 240. For example, when bladder 205 is being inflated, baffles220, first flexible layer 215, and second flexible layer 225 may expand,thereby causing applicator 230 to tear at perforations 235. Whenapplicator 230 tears at perforations 235, applicator 230 becomesseparated from bladder 205. Nevertheless, applicator 230 may remainattached to inflation line 245 via attachment portion 230. Moreover,indicator 240 may indicate to the user of speculum 200 that bladder 205has never been inflated, and as such, has not yet been used. In otherembodiment of the present invention, speculum 200 further may comprise alubrication layer (not shown) formed between at least a portion of aninterior surface of applicator 230 and at least a portion of an exteriorsurface of bladder 205. Consequently, the lubrication layer is notexposed until applicator 230 has been torn and separated from bladder205.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 6, in another embodiment of the presentinvention, bladder 205 also may comprise a second opening 265 formedthrough a wall of bladder 205. When bladder 205 is inflated andpositioned inside an orifice, second opening 265 allows the user ofspeculum 200 to obtain a sample from a wall of the orifice withouthaving to remove bladder 205 from the orifice.

[0026] In operation, bladder 205 may be inserted inside the orifice, andsubsequently may be inflated. For example, the user of speculum 200 mayapply a lubricant to an exterior surface of applicator 230. When bladder205 inflates, applicator 230 may tear along perforations 235 andseparate from bladder 205, and bladder 205 may expand to conform to ashape of the orifice. Nevertheless, applicator 230 may remain attachedto inflation line 245 via attachment portion 230. Moreover, when bladder205 is inflated, the lubrication layer contacts the walls of theorifice, and the user of speculum 200 may view an inside of the orificevia first opening 260 or obtain a sample of a wall of the orifice viasecond opening 265, or both. The user also may activate the light sourceto more readily view the inside of the orifice or to obtain the sampleof the orifice, or both. When the user of speculum 200 is finished, theuser may deflate bladder 205 by moving valve 255 from an off position toan on position, thereby exposing the opening formed though inflationline 245. The user then may remove bladder 205 and applicator 230, e.g.,by pulling inflation line 245 in a direction away from the orifice, anddispose of speculum 200.

[0027] While the invention has been described in connection withpreferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that other variations and modifications of the preferredembodiments described above may be made without departing from the scopeof the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art from a consideration of the specification orpractice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that thespecification and the described examples are considered as exemplaryonly, with the true scope and spirit of the invention indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable speculum adapted to be positionedwithin an orifice, comprising: an inflatable bladder, wherein when theinflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder comprises: abaffle member comprising a plurality of baffles, wherein each of theplurality of baffles has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectionalshape; and a particular opening formed between a first end of theinflatable bladder and a second end of the inflatable bladder forviewing an inside of the orifice.
 2. The speculum of claim 1, furthercomprising means for inflating the inflatable bladder.
 3. The speculumof claim 2, wherein the means for inflating the inflatable bladdercomprises: an inflation line attached to the inflatable bladder; and apump attached to the inflation line.
 4. The speculum of claim 3, whereinthe inflation line is positioned within one of the plurality baffles. 5.The speculum of claim 3, wherein each of the pump and the inflation lineare adapted to dispense at least one of air and a fluid into theinflatable bladder.
 6. The speculum of claim 3, further comprising meansfor deflating the inflatable bladder.
 7. The speculum of claim 6,wherein the means for deflating the inflatable bladder comprises a valvefor releasing air from inside the inflatable bladder.
 8. The speculum ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one light source positioned withinone of the plurality of baffles, wherein the at least one light sourcecomprises a tubular, chemiluminescent light source.
 9. The speculum ofclaim 3, further comprising: a light source; a manifold; a fiber opticcable coupled to the light source and the manifold, wherein theinflation line is coupled to the manifold; and at least one fiber opticelement coupled to the fiber optic cable for illuminating the inside ofthe orifice, wherein a first portion of the fiber optic element ispositioned within the inflation line, and a second portion of the fiberoptic element is positioned within a corresponding one of the pluralityof baffles.
 10. The speculum of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladderfurther comprises at least one further opening formed through the bafflemember for allowing access to at least one wall of the orifice.
 11. Thespeculum of claim 1, further comprising: means for inflating theinflatable bladder; and an applicator, wherein when the inflatablebladder is not inflated, a first member of the applicator encloses theinflatable bladder and a second member of the applicator is attached tothe means for inflating, and when the inflatable bladder is inflated, aparticular portion of the first member is torn and the second memberremains attached to the means for inflating.
 12. The speculum of claim11, wherein the particular portion of the first member is perforated.13. The speculum of claim 11, further comprising a lubrication layerpositioned between at least a portion of an interior surface theapplicator and an exterior surface of the inflatable bladder, such thatwhen the particular portion of the first member is torn, the lubricationlayer is in contact with a wall of the orifice.
 14. The speculum ofclaim 1, wherein the baffle member further comprises: a first flexiblelayer; and a second flexible layer, wherein the plurality of baffles arepositioned between the first flexible layer and the second flexiblelayer, and the plurality of baffles are enclosed by the first flexiblelayer and the second flexible layer.
 15. The speculum of claim 14,wherein each of the first flexible layer, the second flexible layer, andthe plurality of baffles comprise a flexible, transparent plastic. 16.An inflatable speculum adapted to be positioned within an orifice,comprising: an inflatable bladder, wherein when the inflatable bladderis inflated, the inflatable bladder comprises: a first opening formedbetween a first end of the inflatable bladder and a second end of theinflatable bladder for viewing an inside of the orifice; and at leastone second opening formed through a wall of the inflatable bladder forallowing access to at least one wall of the orifice.
 17. The speculum ofclaim 16, wherein the inflatable bladder further comprises a bafflemember.
 18. The speculum of claim 17, wherein the baffle membercomprises: a first flexible layer; a second flexible layer; and aplurality of baffles positioned between the first flexible layer and thesecond flexible layer, wherein the plurality of baffles are enclosed bythe first flexible layer and the second flexible layer.
 19. The speculumof claim 18, wherein each of the plurality of baffles has asubstantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.
 20. The speculum ofclaim 18, wherein the wall of the inflatable bladder comprises thebaffle member, and the at least one second opening is formed through thebaffle member.
 21. The speculum of claim 18, further comprising meansfor inflating the inflatable bladder.
 22. The speculum of claim 21,wherein the means for inflating the inflatable bladder comprises: aninflation line attached to the inflatable bladder; and a pump attachedto the inflation line.
 23. The speculum of claim 22, wherein theinflation line is positioned within one of the plurality baffles. 24.The speculum of claim 22, wherein each of the pump and the inflationline are adapted to dispense at least one of air and a fluid into theinflatable bladder.
 25. The speculum of claim 22, further comprisingmeans for deflating the inflatable bladder.
 26. The speculum of claim25, wherein the means for deflating the inflatable bladder comprises avalve for releasing air from inside the inflatable bladder.
 27. Thespeculum of claim 18, further comprising at least one light sourcepositioned within one of the plurality of baffles.
 28. The speculum ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one light source comprises a tubular,chemiluminescent light source.
 29. The speculum of claim 16, furthercomprising: means for inflating the inflatable bladder; and anapplicator, wherein when the inflatable bladder is not inflated, a firstmember of the applicator encloses the inflatable bladder and a secondmember of the applicator is attached to the means for inflating, andwhen the inflatable bladder is inflated, a particular portion of thefirst member is torn and the second member remains attached to the meansfor inflating.
 30. The speculum of claim 29, wherein the particularportion of the first member is perforated.
 31. The speculum of claim 29,further comprising a lubrication layer positioned between at least aportion of an interior surface the applicator and an exterior surface ofthe inflatable bladder, such that when the particular portion of thefirst member is torn, the lubrication layer is in contact with a wall ofthe orifice.
 32. An inflatable speculum adapted to be positioned withinan orifice, comprising: an inflatable bladder, wherein when theinflatable bladder is inflated, the inflatable bladder comprises: anopening formed between a first end of the inflatable bladder and asecond end of the inflatable bladder; means for inflating the inflatablebladder; and an applicator, wherein when the inflatable bladder is notinflated, a first member of the applicator encloses the inflatablebladder and a second member of the applicator is attached to the meansfor inflating, and when the inflatable bladder is inflated, a particularportion of the first member is torn and the second member remainsattached to the means for inflating.
 33. The speculum of claim 32,wherein the means for inflating the inflatable bladder comprises: aninflation line attached to the inflatable bladder; and a pump attachedto the inflation line, wherein the second member of the applicator isattached to at least one portion of the inflation line.
 34. The speculumof claim 32, further comprising a lubrication layer positioned betweenat least a portion of an interior surface the applicator and an exteriorsurface of the inflatable bladder, such that when the particular portionof the first member is torn, the lubrication layer is in contact with awall of the orifice.
 35. The speculum of claim 32, wherein theinflatable bladder further comprises a baffle member.
 36. The speculumof claim 35, wherein the baffle member comprises: a first flexiblelayer; a second flexible layer; and a plurality of baffles positionedbetween the first flexible layer and the second flexible layer, whereinthe plurality of baffles are enclosed by the first flexible layer andthe second flexible layer.
 37. The speculum of claim 36, wherein each ofthe plurality of baffles has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectionalshape.